Dementia is a broad umbrella term that describes the progressive decline in someone’s mental ability. Symptoms of dementia could include memory loss, changes in behaviour and personality, problems with reasoning and communication skills, and a reduced ability to carry out daily activities, such as washing and dressing. We provide specialist Dementia Care.
There are many different forms and causes of dementia. The most common are: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, mixed dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
Living with Dementia provides an enormous challenge for you and your family in so many different ways. For instance, when someone is struggling with ever-increasing memory loss, independently living at home and maintaining social activities becomes more of a challenge, but equally, they become more essential. Familiar surroundings and normal routines are important for those living with dementia, organising this and keeping an eye on things, presents families with time-consuming, difficult choices. As a result, pressure on families or partners builds up and something has to give. According to Alzheimer’s UK, there are 850,000 people in the UK currently living with Dementia.
Living well with Dementia
One option is to have a live-in carer, a specialist in dementia care. Someone to live with you, to take care of your current needs, but also, someone who will be able to adapt as and when your needs change. There are some key points that can help you live well with Dementia and the NHS have clear guidelines to help families.
Importance of Familiar Surroundings
Many people can stay living well at home if they have adequate support. That’s because being in familiar surroundings can help people cope better with their condition. With a live-in carer, you can stay at home for longer.
Stay Socially Active
Keeping in touch with people and engaging in social activities is good for your confidence and mental well being. A live-in carer will support you to access the community, help you host friends and family and will promote your independence wherever possible.
Look after your health
Essentially, your live-in carer will promote your health and well being. For instance, you should
- Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fluids
- Exercise regularly
- Attend regular dental, eyesight and hearing checkups and have your flu vaccinations
- Get enough sleep
- Watch out for Depression, which can be prevalent with Dementia
Understand the challenges
Everyone is on a different path with the progression of Dementia. However, with the support and kindness of a live-in carer, you continue to live the best life for as long as possible. There are challenges along the way, but with partnership and support, these can be shared.
- Communication – There are techniques that live-in carers learn to help improve communication when living with dementia.
- Sundowning – Changes in behaviour at dusk is known as sundowning. Some people living with dementia experience a growing sense of agitation or anxiety in the evening. Tips for managing this can be found here.
- Delirium – Delirium is defined as a sudden change in a person’s mental state. Delirium can lead to confusion. Having familiar surroundings is often soothing when people living with dementia suffer ith delirium
For more information on understanding dementia and how to live well with dementia, you can visit Dementia UK
We provide specialist Dementia Care
If you feel a live-in carer would be a potential option for you or a loved one, please call for an informal chat to discuss.
External Resources
The following resources are available.
